Ultrasonic therapy device with diffractive focusing

Abstract

A device for selectively treating multiple regions of tissue simultaneously, the device comprising an ultrasound transducer and a plurality of layers. The ultrasound transducer is configured to produce an acoustic wave. The plurality of layers comprises a plurality of cavities, where the plurality of cavities are configured to scatter the acoustic wave and simultaneously produce a plurality of treatment zones at a predetermined distance from the ultrasound transducer.

1 . A device for selectively treating multiple regions of tissue simultaneously, the device comprising:
 an ultrasound transducer configured to produce an acoustic wave; and   a plurality of layers associated with the ultrasound transducer, wherein at least one of the plurality of layers comprises a plurality of cavities, where the plurality of cavities are configured to scatter the acoustic wave and simultaneously produce a plurality of treatment zones at a predetermined distance from the ultrasound transducer.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cavities are further configured to produce at least one of the plurality of treatment zones by constructive interference of at least two portions of the acoustic wave that are scattered by a respective two of the plurality of cavities. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one of the plurality of layers comprises one selected from the group consisting of: a piezoelectric source, a wearplate, and a transmissive layer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises a plurality of etchings within the layer. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the one of the plurality of layers comprises the transmissive layer and the plurality of cavities comprise a material different from a material of the transmissive layer. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cavities are arranged to create a pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the pattern is one selected from a hexagonal symmetry and a square symmetry. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of cavities comprises a circular shape. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of cavities comprises a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the polygonal shape is one selected from the group consisting of a square and a hexagon. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of cavities are arranged to create a pattern, and wherein the pattern is one selected from a hexagonal symmetry and a square symmetry. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a size and a position of each of the plurality of cavities is optimized for a predetermined application. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined application comprises at least one of a predetermined skin type and a predetermined treatment. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined treatment comprises a calculation of the predetermined distance. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one of the size and the position comprises selecting a distance between cavities. 
     
     
         16 . An ultrasound device for selectively treating multiple regions of tissue simultaneously comprising:
 an ultrasound transducer assembly comprising a planar delivery surface through which ultrasound energy is transmitted, the assembly comprising a planar region located between the delivery surface and the tissue and further comprising a periodic pattern of alternating higher and lower transmission regions, the planar region functioning to cause interference in ultrasonic waves and cause the ultrasound energy to be focused at multiple regions in a plane spaced from the transducer.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the planar region is formed integrally with the transducer. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the planar region is formed in a separate layer bonded to the transducer. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the periodic pattern is formed by openings in the layer.